Thursday, August 2, 2012 Fremont, North Carolina www.newsleadernow.com 75¢

Aycock Birthplace

to host fi nal

summer program

...page 4

Pikeville man

leads police on

high-speed chase

...page 2

Pikeville board

discusses town

hall renovation

...page 5

SEE GOOD, PAGE 3

By Michael JaenickeStaff Writer

His favorite hymn is “Thank You For the Valley.”

His favorite Bible verse is Psalms 23.

In many ways, the life of Cecil Hol-land has re ected him as a tender of human sheep, and his Savior, who cared for him in a similar — and bet-ter — way.

The 98-year-old Nahunta native and his many shepherd-like deeds were in the spotlight on Sunday, when the Union Grove Original Freewill Bap-tist Church named its morning wor-

ship Cecil Holland Day.“A shepherd’s life is all about mak-

ing his ock content, safe, well fed from early in the morning to late at night,” said Pastor Richard Glosson. “But even David considered him-self as a sheep with the Lord as the ultimate shepherd. Mr. Cecil knows the Psalm and his role and the Shep-herd.”

A congregation of about 130 peo-ple agreed — many people have been touched and cared for by the oldest member at Union Grove.

“A tree was planted beside the Sun-day School door, and every time we see it we’ll think about his dedication and loyalty to this church,” said Fre-da Golden, one member of a trio that sang the opening song.

A former deacon and Sunday School teacher, Holland helped haul the timber out of the water to build

the church’s sanctuary. He offered a simple philosophy that worked for him and still works today.

“The main thing is to give your life to the Lord and stay out of trouble,” he said. “Life for the Lord. I’ve done everything at this church but preach.”

Holland didn’t have to speak from the podium on Sundays. People noticed him by the way he lived his life.

Sister in-law Peggy Fer-rell lauded his legacy.

“He’s one of the kindest, most compassionate, giving, big-hearted people I’ve ever known,” she said.

What almost everyone re-members about Holland is his positive attitude.

“I’ve been coming here since I was a young child, and I know that he is a man of faith because of what I’ve seen and the fact that I’ve

never heard him complain about any-thing,” said Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders. “He is a great per-son.”

Holland’s calm demeanor was in the forefront of his son John’s mind during the luncheon.

“He never got mad,” said his son. “When it came time for discipline, it was always talking to us. Now, mam-ma, she’d get the switch after you.”

Mamma is Ruby Ferrell, who mar-ried Holland in 1942.

Holland’s mission for a number of years was caring for his wife during her extended illness to her death in 2006. And his soft touch never wa-vered, even though Ruby suffered se-vere pain.

“He had incredible patience with her,” Ferrell said.

The couple was married 64 years and had another son, Henry, four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchil-dren.

Holland attended Sasser and Ay-cock elementary schools and then graduated from Nahunta High School. They lived several years in a shipyard in Norfolk, Va., where Holland was a machinist.

They returned to Nahunta, and Holland worked in construction. The couple escaped by taking canoe rides from Goldsboro to New Bern. They were content with life in northern Wayne County.

“We’d oat down the river, camp out, catch sh and cook them on the boat or on the shore. We both really loved nature and our marriage, which

C.B. Aycock High School tight end A.J. Mundle is returning to the fi eld after missing an entire season due to an ACL injury to his knee. CBA and other high schools around North Carolina were allowed to be-gin football practice this week. (NL photo by Jaenicke)

Good tothe last

drop!

Wayne-WilsonNahunta’s GoodShepherd

Cecil Holland, 98, was recently honored by Union Grove OFWB Church when it named its morning worship service in his honor. Holland helped haul the timber that was used many years ago to build the church’s sanctuary. (NL photo by Jaenicke)

Cecil Holland and his wife Ruby, in a photo taken around 1945. The couple were married for 64 years before Ruby’s death in 2006. (NL photo by Jae-nicke)

Cecil Holland honoredby Union Grove Church

for caring for family,friends and community

Thursday, August 2, 2012 Fremont, North Carolina www.newsleadernow.com 75¢

Aycock Birthplace

to host fi nal

summer program

...page 4

Pikeville man

leads police on

high-speed chase

...page 2

Pikeville board

discusses town

hall renovation

...page 5

SEE GOOD, PAGE 3

By Michael JaenickeStaff Writer

His favorite hymn is “Thank You For the Valley.”

His favorite Bible verse is Psalms 23.

In many ways, the life of Cecil Hol-land has re ected him as a tender of human sheep, and his Savior, who cared for him in a similar — and bet-ter — way.

The 98-year-old Nahunta native and his many shepherd-like deeds were in the spotlight on Sunday, when the Union Grove Original Freewill Bap-tist Church named its morning wor-

ship Cecil Holland Day.“A shepherd’s life is all about mak-

ing his ock content, safe, well fed from early in the morning to late at night,” said Pastor Richard Glosson. “But even David considered him-self as a sheep with the Lord as the ultimate shepherd. Mr. Cecil knows the Psalm and his role and the Shep-herd.”

A congregation of about 130 peo-ple agreed — many people have been touched and cared for by the oldest member at Union Grove.

“A tree was planted beside the Sun-day School door, and every time we see it we’ll think about his dedication and loyalty to this church,” said Fre-da Golden, one member of a trio that sang the opening song.

A former deacon and Sunday School teacher, Holland helped haul the timber out of the water to build

the church’s sanctuary. He offered a simple philosophy that worked for him and still works today.

“The main thing is to give your life to the Lord and stay out of trouble,” he said. “Life for the Lord. I’ve done everything at this church but preach.”

Holland didn’t have to speak from the podium on Sundays. People noticed him by the way he lived his life.

Sister in-law Peggy Fer-rell lauded his legacy.

“He’s one of the kindest, most compassionate, giving, big-hearted people I’ve ever known,” she said.

What almost everyone re-members about Holland is his positive attitude.

“I’ve been coming here since I was a young child, and I know that he is a man of faith because of what I’ve seen and the fact that I’ve

never heard him complain about any-thing,” said Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders. “He is a great per-son.”

Holland’s calm demeanor was in the forefront of his son John’s mind during the luncheon.

“He never got mad,” said his son. “When it came time for discipline, it was always talking to us. Now, mam-ma, she’d get the switch after you.”

Mamma is Ruby Ferrell, who mar-ried Holland in 1942.

Holland’s mission for a number of years was caring for his wife during her extended illness to her death in 2006. And his soft touch never wa-vered, even though Ruby suffered se-vere pain.

“He had incredible patience with her,” Ferrell said.

The couple was married 64 years and had another son, Henry, four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchil-dren.

Holland attended Sasser and Ay-cock elementary schools and then graduated from Nahunta High School. They lived several years in a shipyard in Norfolk, Va., where Holland was a machinist.

They returned to Nahunta, and Holland worked in construction. The couple escaped by taking canoe rides from Goldsboro to New Bern. They were content with life in northern Wayne County.

“We’d oat down the river, camp out, catch sh and cook them on the boat or on the shore. We both really loved nature and our marriage, which

C.B. Aycock High School tight end A.J. Mundle is returning to the fi eld after missing an entire season due to an ACL injury to his knee. CBA and other high schools around North Carolina were allowed to be-gin football practice this week. (NL photo by Jaenicke)

Good tothe last

drop!

Wayne-WilsonNahunta’s GoodShepherd

Cecil Holland, 98, was recently honored by Union Grove OFWB Church when it named its morning worship service in his honor. Holland helped haul the timber that was used many years ago to build the church’s sanctuary. (NL photo by Jaenicke)

Cecil Holland and his wife Ruby, in a photo taken around 1945. The couple were married for 64 years before Ruby’s death in 2006. (NL photo by Jae-nicke)

Cecil Holland honoredby Union Grove Church

for caring for family,friends and community